Container Deposit Scheme

The goal is to reduce the amount of litter in our environment, so eligible containers are those that are commonly consumed away from home.

This may include beverage containers larger than 150ml and smaller than 3-litres that are made from:

• aluminium
• glass
• plastic
• steel
• liquid paperboard

Check for the 10c mark on the drink container label. It is often located near the barcode.

While these containers are not accepted, some of them can still be recycled through your kerbside bins:

• plastic milk bottles (put these in your yellow-lidded recycling bin)
• wine and spirit bottles (put these in your purple-lidded glass-only bin)
• fruit juice cartons (these go in your landfill bin)
• cordial bottles (these go in your landfill bin)

Containers must be empty.
You don't have to rinse each container, but it must be empty and the outside clean enough that the barcode can be scanned by the vending machine.

Keep the label on and don't crush the container.
Scanners inside the vending machines will identify the shape, label and barcode of each container to ensure it is eligible for a refund. Broken bottles, crushed cans and bottles without labels will not be eligible for a refund.

The first CDS site in the Colac Otway Shire is located at the Coles supermarket carpark, Queen Street Colac.

TOMRA/Cleanaway will be opening more refund sites in Colac Otway Shire in coming weeks, so check the map in early November to see the new locations.

Find your nearest refund point on the interactive map.

There will be multiple ways to receive your 10 cent refund. You can either keep your refund, or support your favourite charity or community organisation with a donation.

Learn more about the refund options.

You can also receive your recycling refunds digitally with the free CDS Vic West App.

This fast, secure and convenient payout app is available via iTunes or Google Play.

Find out more on the mytorma.com.au website.

Council is not involved in setting up or managing the container deposit scheme.

All enquiries should be directed to TOMRA Cleanaway.

This is the network operator in our region that is responsible for setting up and managing the refund collection points in Surf Coast Shire and making sure customers receive their 10c refund.

VicReturn is the scheme coordinator that will manage the finance and administration aspects of the state-wide program.

Not-for profit community groups can apply to become a donation partner so your group can receive donations from the community when they return their eligible drink containers.

Download the information sheet(PDF, 585KB).

Community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profit or businesses that would like to host a collection point, or are interested in becoming a donation partner can register their interest by contacting TOMRA Cleanaway.